Hidden among remote and forgotten lands, lies the largest landlocked body of water on the planet.

The Caspian Sea was once a part of the open oceans, but when the mighty Caucasus mountains rose up, it became landlocked, creating the perfect refuge for many rare and prehistoric species.

From lush wetlands to vast steppes, snowy mountains to arid deserts, the surrounding landscapes of Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan provide a rich tapestry of terrain, creating many challenges for the creatures which live there.

Life and death hangs in the balance in these extreme environments, where only the toughest animals survive…